Sunderland man had baseball bat ‘for self-defence’

A man has admitted possession of an offensive weapon, claiming he took a baseball bat to defend himself after his girlfriend told him a group of men were after him.

Liam Henderson, 25, was spotted carrying the weapon after police were called to a domestic matter in St Luke’s Terrace, Pallion, at 10.50pm on July 4, Sunderland magistrates heard.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “Whilst speaking to a female, officers saw a man across the road holding a long object – a baseball bat.”

Ms Beck said Henderson then discarded the bat away from view.

It was later found under the wheels of a parked car and Henderson admitted he’d had it after being shown CCTV from the scene.

He told police he had been at his home in Percival Street, drinking vodka, when his girlfriend accused him of having taken Valium and she left the house with the bat, saying a group of people were going to assault him.

He then took the bat off her to defend himself.

Ian Jordan, defending, said Henderson was only in court because he told officers about having the weapon for self-defence.

“There had been an argument with his partner and she picked up the bat,” Mr Jordan said.

“She left the property with the bat and went to the local shop. She discarded the bat and said ‘my brother is going to come down and give you a good hiding’.

“At that point, he picked up the baseball bat, because he believes he will be assaulted.”